In 1558, while exiled by Queen Mary Tudor to a remote castle known as Perilous Gard, young Kate Sutton becomes involved in a series of mysterious e...
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Feb 05, 2012
Cara
rated it: 
Gosh, I had forgotten so much since I first read this. I read it a couple of years back and every time I thought of the book I had fond memories, but why exactly it had that effect was slipping from my memory.
Honestly I read this book because it was labeled fantasy and at the time that was all I would read and it was one of the only books in the library I hadn't read (it was a very small library). The cover wasn't glittery or a standout in anyway, but I dived in regardless of the More...
Honestly I read this book because it was labeled fantasy and at the time that was all I would read and it was one of the only books in the library I hadn't read (it was a very small library). The cover wasn't glittery or a standout in anyway, but I dived in regardless of the More...
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May 14, 2009
Abigail
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Having angered Queen Mary Tudor in 1558, young Katherine Sutton finds herself exiled to the northern castle of Perilous Gard in this historical-fantasy. Confused when her appearance precipitates panic and anger in the nearby village, and horrified to hear of the disappearance of four-year-old Cecily, the daughter of her nominal captor, Sir Geoffrey Heron, Kate soon discovers that she has stumbled onto an ancient and well-guarded secret.
The inhabitants of Perilous Gard have for centu More...
The inhabitants of Perilous Gard have for centu More...
11 comments
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(14 people liked it)
May 01, 2008
Lighthearted
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I loved this book! You’ll find it in the Children’s section of the library but don’t let that deter you if the 5th grade is just a distant memory. "The Perilous Gard" is based on the Scottish legend of Tam Lin—it is a rich work of historical fiction with touches of romance and fantasy. In the story, Kate Sutton is exiled by Queen Mary Tudor to a remote castle—when she arrives, she learns of a recent tragedy that haunts the household, Christopher Heron most of all. Ever cool and practic
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(2 people liked it)
May 07, 2008
Hallie
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This is one of the most often re-read books in our house - definitely the one I read to the daughters the greatest number of times. And with good reason, as it's fantastic. First there's the Tam Lin element, which is used beautifully here. Then there's some of the best dialogue ever ('You don't look like any god to me, Christopher Heron. You look like a piece of gilded gingerbread.') And Kate's a wonderful heroine - intelligent, stubborn when it's about doing what she feels she should (or not
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(4 people liked it)
Mar 28, 2009
Res
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Another Tam Lin retelling, this time involving young Kate, whose beautiful and very stupid sister insults Queen Mary Tudor and gets Kate exiled to a castle where strange doings are afoot.
Very fine. Kate is just the sort of character I love -- proud, highly intelligent, a bit socially awkward. She's just distant enough from her feelings that a story in her POV is emotionally subtle, without being so distant from them that they don't come across at all. Christopher is appropriately tro More...
Very fine. Kate is just the sort of character I love -- proud, highly intelligent, a bit socially awkward. She's just distant enough from her feelings that a story in her POV is emotionally subtle, without being so distant from them that they don't come across at all. Christopher is appropriately tro More...
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(3 people liked it)
May 20, 2011
Brandy
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The Perilous Gard is a reworking of the Scottish ballad of Tam Lin. Or it might be more accurate to say the ballad of Tam Lin is worked into this story which stands on its own merits beautifully.
During 16th century England Kate Sutton is exiled to a mysterious fortress called Elvenwood Manor but historically referred to as the Perilous Gard. As soon as she arrives she is drawn into the life of another of the castle's inhabitants, Christopher Heron the younger brother of the owner. He More...
During 16th century England Kate Sutton is exiled to a mysterious fortress called Elvenwood Manor but historically referred to as the Perilous Gard. As soon as she arrives she is drawn into the life of another of the castle's inhabitants, Christopher Heron the younger brother of the owner. He More...
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(2 people liked it)
Apr 07, 2010
Mary-Beth
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The whole time I was reading this story I got the impression that I shouldn't be liking it as much as I liked it, but I couldn't help myself. It's a re-telling of the Tam Lin tale and it's set in the 16th century and the main character is a lady in waiting for Queen Mary who has been exiled to a remote castle.
I love the depiction of Faerie in this novel. It's an entirely otherworldly place dressed up with illusions for weak human eyes. The suffering of Christopher (the sacrificial vi More...
I love the depiction of Faerie in this novel. It's an entirely otherworldly place dressed up with illusions for weak human eyes. The suffering of Christopher (the sacrificial vi More...
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(2 people liked it)
Jan 29, 2012
Megan
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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3 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Jul 25, 2008
Cristin
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Elizabeth Marie Pope has certainly mastered historical fiction. That Pope is capable of weaving fantasy and folklore into the mix is absolutely delightful!
This is a great read for any age, although I'm certain my love for it would have been magnified tenfold were I a bit younger when I first read it. Still, I was transfixed by the story-and greatly appreciate the way Katherine Sutton (the hero of our story) is portrayed.
If you're like me, you'll enjoy the banter that Chr More...
This is a great read for any age, although I'm certain my love for it would have been magnified tenfold were I a bit younger when I first read it. Still, I was transfixed by the story-and greatly appreciate the way Katherine Sutton (the hero of our story) is portrayed.
If you're like me, you'll enjoy the banter that Chr More...
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Jun 16, 2008
Jenna
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A wonderful retelling of a folk tale that I hadn't even known until I read this book. Kate, the protagonist, is a little bit unlikeable to me. Maybe it's because she's so practical, down-to-earth, clever, etc... I tend to like characters that have more of an inclination to silly romantic notions (and by romantic I don't mean love-struck or anything). But Christopher, her companion, friend, and crush, is quite likeable, for all his fierce pride and failing dignity. The end of the story is obvious
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(1 person liked it)
Jun 25, 2008
Birrells
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This book was recommended to me by the librarian at my library. This book got a Newberry Honor award. Part of the interest to me was the fact that it's based on an actual society of people that lived in England in the 1500's. It's got drama, mystery and a love story. The author actually went to England and researched the history of the castle called Perilous Gard. What is fascinating about it too is that it strikes you as being a bit on the science-fiction side but as you read on, the part that
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(1 person liked it)
Nov 15, 2007
Kami
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What could not be said about this fabulous book?!?!?! I love it!!! One of the few books (along with Jane Austen's and the Bronte's) that I read over and over. It perfectly entwines historical fiction with the lore of the fairy folk in a completely believable manner. I really like how the fairy folk were kept true to the old legends and poems of them being sinister and evil. I also loved the herione, she's great; I hate when the main character is an idiot. And the love story is fabulous. W
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(3 people liked it)
Dec 15, 2008
Jenny
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This was my favorite book growing up. It is about a young woman who has to rescue her guardian from being kidnapped by fairies. Sort of like an Elizabethan retelling of the Tam Lin legend without the pregnancy part. I got a free copy at the fifth anniversary party of Book Zoo, a local used book store, which made me glad I went especially since I almost skipped out on going. It was just sort of staring up at me from the free book cart and I snagged it in a hot minute. As for those of you who
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Jan 22, 2012
Marie
rated it:
If there is such a genre as historical fairy tale, that's what I would call this. I read it to preview it for my 9-year old daughter. I plan to hold off giving it to her for a few years because some elements of the fairy lore are quite dark (a character narrowly escapes becoming a human sacrifice), and because I think she'll get more out of the romance when she's a teenager. I like the fact that the plot mirrors the Ballad of Tam Lin and the main character knows it, but she becomes the heroine o
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(1 person liked it)
Jan 13, 2012
Indiana
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A 1975 Newbery Honor Book, it is set in England during the reign of Mary I in 1558. Katherine Sutton, an attendant to Princess Elizabeth, is banished (due to the acts of her sister) to a remote castle, Perilous Gard. In these isolated wilds of Derbyshire(!) she has very few people to talk to except the Lord's brother, Christopher, and the two of them end up investigating some mysterious happenings which lead them to being imprisoned beneath the magical well on the castle grounds. The fairy folk
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Sep 20, 2011
Emilie
rated it:
i love the i'd rather be dead than have you steal my mind theme.
i love how what it’s really about is holding onto herself while experiencing terrible torment, holding onto her mind to save herself.
each day, while captured by the faery, kate has only one piece of freedom and that is to choose if she will take the drug that the faery queen offers that will take away the pain, and along with it, all sense of who kate is. kate keeps hold of what is true and who she is, but she is t More...
i love how what it’s really about is holding onto herself while experiencing terrible torment, holding onto her mind to save herself.
each day, while captured by the faery, kate has only one piece of freedom and that is to choose if she will take the drug that the faery queen offers that will take away the pain, and along with it, all sense of who kate is. kate keeps hold of what is true and who she is, but she is t More...
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(8 people liked it)
Mar 10, 2011
Sharlene
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Kate Sutton and her sister Alicia are servants of Queen Elizabeth while she is still princess. The current queen doesn't take too much liking to Elizabeth and as a result has her in conditions one wouldn't expect a princess to be in. This drives Alicia (beautiful, charming and likable by all)to write the queen and tell her about the appalling conditions her sweet lady is under. Kate being the practical, not beautiful, level headed one is often blamed for Alicia's doings because of her lack of ch
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Mar 08, 2011
Eva
rated it:
Apa yang membuat gue sangat menyukai buku ini adalah; buku ini menawarkan sesuatu yang rasional. Ada penjelasan yang masuk akal mengenai latar belakang para peri, tidak melulu bahwa mereka adalah makhluk gaib seperti cerita2 lainnya. Mereka manusia yang kebetulan memiliki pengetahuan berlebih soal obat2an, mereka bisa meracik semacam obat tidur, halusinogen, bahkan racun yang merusak syaraf otak. Ratu kaum peri ini bahkan piawai melakukan hipnotis. Di sini kaum peri justru digambarkan sebagai ma
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Sep 07, 2010
Annikka
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Jun 09, 2010
Margaret
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The Perilous Gard is set in late Tudor times; the heroine, Kate Sutton, is one of the lady Elizabeth's handmaidens, exiled by Queen Mary for a letter Kate's sister wrote to her. Kate is sent to Elvenwood, also called "the Perilous Gard", where she's immediately intrigued by Christopher, the enigmatic brother of the master of the castle, Sir Geoffrey Heron. Soon, she discovers the secrets kept by the people of the castle, and to her peril, discovers also the mysterious residents of the
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(3 people liked it)
Apr 25, 2011
Josiah
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Whatever else there is to say about this book, the writing of Elizabeth Marie Pope is phenomenal. Her vibrant, urgent prose takes so many paths and sub-paths through the vast subterranean richness of the English language that it's nigh upon impossible not to become lost in the endless creativity of the writing as it unfolds, going on and on with seemingly no limit as to what the author can conjure up next. Elizabeth Marie Pope has an extraordinary mind for the formation of deep, flawlessly r
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(1 person liked it)
Sep 04, 2010
Aranthe
rated it:
This is the third retelling of the Tam Lin ballad that I've read this year and the most enjoyable so far.
Kate Sutton is an intelligent, sensible heroine who keeps her wits about her, in more ways than one, when others are losing theirs. While this book appeals to some purely on the basis of (what has become almost obligatory in contemporary fiction) gender role-reversal, Kate isn't ye olde stock rebellious hoyden in masculine clothing, complete with sword. She's a young Elizabethan More...
Kate Sutton is an intelligent, sensible heroine who keeps her wits about her, in more ways than one, when others are losing theirs. While this book appeals to some purely on the basis of (what has become almost obligatory in contemporary fiction) gender role-reversal, Kate isn't ye olde stock rebellious hoyden in masculine clothing, complete with sword. She's a young Elizabethan More...
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(1 person liked it)
Jul 18, 2008
Michelle
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I read this book in 2 days at the last minute for our book club meeting last night, but it really is that quick of a read. It seemed like an early Juliet Marillier to me. But when I came to the end, and they tell the girl to save her beau she "must claim him," I found myself thinking, "I thought this was a kids' book?!?" That's what I get for misinterpretting. There should be an adult version of this book like the original Hans Christian Anderson fairy tales...
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Jan 05, 2010
Minli
rated it:
A lovely tale inspired by the ballad of Tam Lin. I say 'inspired' because instead of retelling it, it refers to the ballad more as a homage. Set in 16th century England, Katherine Sutton is exiled to Elvenwood, and becomes tangled in a quiet, complex story of loss, sacrifice and intrigue.
I could ignore the obvious Christian sympathies since it was set in an era when England was predominantly Christian--and Pope is sensitive enough to not demonize the pagan inspirations for the faerie More...
I could ignore the obvious Christian sympathies since it was set in an era when England was predominantly Christian--and Pope is sensitive enough to not demonize the pagan inspirations for the faerie More...
Oct 05, 2011
Natasha
rated it:
Kate and her sister are maids to the Princess Elizabeth, who has been shunned by her sister Queen Mary. Alicia, Kate's sister, has an air of natural ignorant innocence, and this is why, when Alicia sends an angry letter to Queen Mary, Kate is the one punished. Mary believes Alicia couldn't write something such as that letter on her own. Taken to Perilous Gard, the castle of Lord Geoffery Heron, Kate discovers some odd stories surrounding the place. She meets Geoffery's younger brother Christophe
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Aug 31, 2007
Lynn
rated it:
I can't say I'm normally a big fan of this type of book, which includes a vanished heiress, a much-visited wishing well, and an ancient, mystical people who are still practicing the old Celtic religion during the Elizabethan age, but Kate's just the kind of intelligent heroine I most enjoy reading about, and her love interest is just as compelling. It reads less like a fantasy novel than a straightforward historical.
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(2 people liked it)
May 20, 2008
Sbuchler
rated it:
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
A lovely Tam Lin-ish type tale set in England at the very end of Queen Mary's reign (the heroine is a lady in waiting to the disgraced Princess Elizabeth at the begining of the novel). The period flavor is nice, and not distracting, and manages the very dificult feat of giving the heroine a very modern and fresh view view of the world, while not making her attitudes achronistic.
A lovely Tam Lin-ish type tale set in England at the very end of Queen Mary's reign (the heroine is a lady in waiting to the disgraced Princess Elizabeth at the begining of the novel). The period flavor is nice, and not distracting, and manages the very dificult feat of giving the heroine a very modern and fresh view view of the world, while not making her attitudes achronistic.
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(1 person liked it)
Jun 05, 2009
Lianne
rated it:
What can I say? I'm extremely jealous of Pope's writing style. Her prose is beautiful and fluid, taking you from one moment to the next without any of that awkward stumbling between scenes that a lot of books have. This is a woman who is very comfortable with her skill and it shows.
Sometimes I thought her descriptions were a little drawn-out and unnecessary, but it was never to such an extent that it ruined my enjoyment of the book.
I found Kate to be a very practical, li More...
Sometimes I thought her descriptions were a little drawn-out and unnecessary, but it was never to such an extent that it ruined my enjoyment of the book.
I found Kate to be a very practical, li More...
Oct 11, 2011
Brit
rated it:
The Perilous Gard takes place in England during the 1550s. Kate Sutton, the main character, and her sister Alicia are ladies in waiting for Princess, future Queen, Elizabeth I, Alicia writes a letter to the queen which inadvertently gets Kate exiled to a castle named Elvenwood Hall, also known as The Perilous Gard. She learns, in her stay there, that the daughter of Sir Geoffrey Heron, the master of the hall, has gone mysteriously missing. She also learns that the local villagers fear the fairy
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